Diversity Training

Diversity and cross-cultural training

In today’s world, we probably come into contact with people from different cultural backgrounds almost every day.

We perceive similarities: we are all human beings. We also perceive differences. But what do we make of those differences? We can, if we choose, see them as a problem, even as alienating; we can pretend they don’t exist; we can treat everyone as if they would really like to be just like us, if only we gave them the chance. Or we can see these differences as fascinating, enriching, real but not off-putting, a key component of who people are and would wish themselves to be; and then, in the process, we also begin to understand a little more about ourselves.

Going to live and work in another country can be exciting and stimulating, but it can also be problematic, and “culture shock” may affect not only the breadwinner but also members of the family who need to make the move.

Euroasia provides guidance both for people moving to New Zealand, and for those going from New Zealand overseas. The issues confronted by both sets of people are actually very similar, even though the specific context is obviously very different. We also assist migrant professionals with understanding how to thrive in the New Zealand workplace.

Euroasia offers you a shortcut to specific information and skills which could otherwise take years to acquire.

Cross-cultural training programme

Our training programmes are customised for our clients, but will generally include most of the following aspects:

Moving to New Zealand

If companies are recruiting staff to come and work in New Zealand, it’s essential that they can fit in, both practically and psychologically.

The Euroasia orientation programme covers practical areas such as:

The basics of daily life in New Zealand

Health and safety

Housing

Education

The tax system

It also includes:

Workplace expectations

Characteristics of New Zealand culture

Relating effectively with New Zealanders

Social activities in New Zealand

Use of language

Our consultants can empathise with people we work with, and have lived for some considerable time in New Zealand. Our consultants add significant value as they have been through the process of settling in New Zealand first-hand.

Please contact us for any help or advice. Our programmes are always adapted to meet particular needs. If you are managing significant numbers of staff from one particular country, the cross-cultural training and support programmes will be of great use – both to you and to your staff.

Thriving in the NZ workplace

We periodically get asked by clients to provide “Business English” training for migrant professionals.

Whilst it is true that some migrants would benefit from training in “Business English”, most actually have more than sufficient English language skills. What they do need however, are specific cross-cultural skills that would enable them to better relate with New Zealanders, understand different points of view, and to get their message across succinctly and effectively.

The Euroasia “Thriving in New Zealand” programme covers practical areas such as:

Understanding the New Zealand workplace.

Relating effectively with New Zealanders.

Navigating professional and social circles .

How to initiate and extend conversations .

Understanding the use of informal communication methods (eg. sarcasm and humour) in communicating with New Zealanders.

Negotiation skills, being assertive.

Presentation and influencing skills.

Managing expectations of managers and colleagues.

Should it be necessary, an English language test can be administered to determine the level of language competency prior to the start of the programme. If appropriate, the programme can be supplemented with Business English training.

Target audience

Migrant professionals with a high standard of English and a basic understanding of the New Zealand business environment. You wish to learn how to thrive at the “next level”. Challenges may include sub-optimal relations with colleagues and clients, and at times not being able to get your ideas across effectively. You have an innate awareness that you can achieve more professionally.

Consultants/facilitators

Our consultants can empathise with people we work with, and have lived for some considerable time in New Zealand. Our consultants add significant value as they have been through the process of settling in New Zealand first-hand.

The programme was developed by Kenneth Leong, Director of Euroasia, who arrived in New Zealand as an international student. With first-hand experience learning how to thrive in the New Zealand business environment, he regularly shares practical insights to migrant professionals. He has extensive experience servicing corporate and government clients.

Language assessment for businesses

A number of employers, including Air New Zealand and Fonterra, use Euroasia’s language assessment service.

How is it useful? Confirm the linguistic competence of staff who are not native speakers of English.

Confirm the linguistic performance of New Zealand staff who are offering foreign language skills.

Receive advice on the level of service they are able to provide.

Our language assessment programmes are tailor-made to suit the particular context. We therefore assess how people will perform when handling the situations they are likely to encounter at work. The assessments can be geared to the spoken and/or the written language.

Corporate event management

Euroasia has been involved with a number of international events, involving people making business connections across cultures.

In 2009, Euroasia organised the highly successful International Sustainable Cities Forum, held in Auckland. In 2010, we helped organise the government-sponsored ASEAN Business Leaders Forum.

Euroasia is the organiser of the New Zealand Migration and Investment Forum in Singapore and Malaysia.

Euroasia can add the most value in the following situations:

Where New Zealand businesspeople are meeting up with overseas counterparts.

The backgrounds and expectations of groups representing diverse cultures had to be explained to the other.

Interpreters are needed.

Euroasia has a track record in the successful organisation of events and visits. Although we are skilled at the management of event logistics, where we add the greatest value is in applying the cross-cultural understanding needed to ensure that an event is not just well-run, but also of genuine value to the participants.

Euroasia personnel have well-established networks both within the mainstream New Zealand business community as well as migrant business communities.

If you would like us to arrange an international event of this kind, or if you would simply like to have our input in certain areas, please contact us.

About

Euroasia Language Academy offers Asian and European language courses. The small interactive language classes, with no more than 10 people, allows for personal attention from the teachers and real student participation.